Former Rangers player Jamie Barjonas, who shocked fans by joining Kelty Hearts after his recent Ibrox exit, bagged a Man of the Match award in the Premier Sports Cup on Tuesday.
Barjonas made his senior debut for the Gers as a teenager in 2017 and went on to turn out nine times for the first team.
However, by the time his contract expired earlier this summer, he hadn’t featured for some time, with unspectacular loans at the likes of Partick Thistle and Ayr United failing to push him up the Ibrox pecking order.
The 22-year-old is a very talented player, though, so it was a shock to many supporters when he opted to drop down to SPFL League Two to join newly-promoted Kelty Hearts.
Barjonas later explained that the presence of his former Rangers B team coach Kevin Thomson at New Central Park was a big factor in his decision and he also cited a desire to play week in week out.
It’s early days yet but he’s certainly getting minutes under his belt at his new club, playing the full 90 for the third consecutive time in the Premier Sports Cup on Tuesday night.
Kelty had started the competition well, only losing by one goal to Premiership side Dundee United in their opener before beating East Fife 3-0, and this time around, they came from behind to triumph 3-1 at Elgin City.
Barjonas wasn’t on the scoresheet, with Cammy Russell and Nathan Austin (2) getting the goals, but he put in a ‘superb performance’ in midfield and was named Kelty’s Man of the Match after the full-time whistle.
It’s a strong start for the former Ger at his new club and he’ll be hoping to carry his early momentum into a trip to Arbroath on Saturday.
Another former Rangers midfielder has opened up on his own struggles for game time at Ibrox, suggesting it was harmful to his career.